beta-2 microglobulin in serum

Indications

• patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have anti beta-2 microglobulin
• patients with Felty's syndrome have circulating immune complexes containing beta-2 microglobulin
• monitoring may predict progression of HIV patients to AIDS, leukemia or lymphoma

Reference interval

• 0.30 mg/dL, age < 28 days (neonate)
• 0.19 mg/dL, age < 60 years
• 0.21 mg/dL, age = 60-69 years
• 0.24 mg/dL, age > 70 years

Increases

• increased in a wide variety of conditions characterized by increased cell turnover; these include:
  • inflammation
  • autoimmune disorders
  • lymphoid malignancies
  • viral infections
• increases also seen with:
  • amyloidosis
  • dialysis
  • aging

Specimen

• analyze fresh or store at 4 degrees C or < 72 h
• stable frozen at -20 degrees C for 6 months, or -70 degrees C indefinitely

Interferences

• serum levels increased by
  • cyclosporin
  • lithium

More general terms

• beta-2 microglobulin in body fluid

More specific terms

• beta-2-microglobulin.tumor marker in serum

Additional terms

• beta-2-microglobulin (B2M)

Component of

• ovarian cancer 5 protein panel